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While you are studying, there may be exceptional circumstances or essential commitments that impact your academic performance. Our special consideration and special arrangements process is here to support you in these situations.
We understand that life's unexpected events and your personal responsibilities can sometimes make study challenging. We're committed to helping you through difficult times.
Special consideration and special arrangements can help you if your studies are impacted by:
If eligible, you may qualify for:
The outcome you receive will depend on a number of factors, such as your reasons for applying, the impact to your studies and fairness to other students.
You'll need to provide supporting documents when you apply, to show that you're eligible.
If you think you might be eligible, make sure you're aware of the deadlines. These vary depending on your reasons for applying.
Your supporting documents need to:
Make sure they're:
You can apply if:
Your documents can include any of the following:
We understand it might take some time to gather your supporting documents. In this case, you should still apply by the deadline. We'll accept your application without supporting documents and contact you at a later stage to request them, before finalising your outcome.
This certificate needs to be completed in full, signed and stamped by a registered medical or health practitioner who is not related to you. You can download and print the form (pdf, 320KB). The certificate needs to:
In the student declaration you should describe:
Make sure you read the template carefully before you sign it. There are serious consequences if you make a dishonest declaration.
A dated obituary from a newspaper, a funeral notice or funeral program that includes:
If you need to travel interstate or overseas for the funeral, you will need to provide supporting documents such as a travel itinerary or statutory declaration for the additional time you are away.
You can apply if:
Your documents can include any of the following:
We understand it might take some time to gather your supporting documents. In this case, you should still apply by the deadline. We'll accept your application without supporting documents and contact you at a later stage to request them, before finalising your outcome.
This certificate needs to be completed in full, signed and stamped by a registered medical or health practitioner who is not related to you. You can download and print the form (pdf, 320KB). The certificate needs to:
In the student declaration you should describe:
Make sure you read the template carefully before you sign it. There are serious consequences if you make a dishonest declaration.
A dated obituary from a newspaper, a funeral notice or funeral program that includes:
If you need to travel interstate or overseas for the funeral, you will need to provide supporting documents such as a travel itinerary or statutory declaration for the additional time you are away.
If you have an ongoing condition or ongoing carer responsibilities we recommend you register with Inclusion and Disability Services, so you can receive any necessary ongoing adjustments.
You'll need to show that:
You'll need to attach one of these documents to your application:
If you can't get to a medical appointment in person, try booking an online or phone consultation with a medical practitioner who can email you a certificate. You may need to contact more than one medical practice to find an available appointment.
If you're applying in relation to an ongoing condition, your supporting documents should explain the dates your assessment will be impacted. For example, the date when your assessment was first impacted and the date you expect to be able to complete your assessment.
This certificate needs to be completed in full, signed and stamped by a registered medical or health practitioner who is not related to you. You can download and print the form (pdf, 320KB). The certificate needs to:
In the student declaration you should describe:
Make sure you read the template carefully before you sign it. There are serious consequences if you make a dishonest declaration.
If you have ongoing carer responsibilities we recommend you register with Inclusion and Disability Services.
You'll need to show that:
You'll need to attach these documents to your application:
In the student declaration you should describe:
Make sure you read the template carefully before you sign it. There are serious consequences if you make a dishonest declaration.
The notice needs to include:
This is produced by the police and should include:
If your application relates to a police matter, but a police report is unavailable, include the COPS event number in your statutory declaration. This is evidence a matter has been reported.
A copy of a public record such as a weather report or online media coverage.
You'll need to show that:
You'll need to attach these documents to your application:
In the student declaration you should describe:
Make sure you read the template carefully before you sign it. There are serious consequences if you make a dishonest declaration.
You'll need to show that you are unable to meet assessment requirements or attend exams because you have Australian defence force or emergency service commitments (including Army Reserve).
You'll need to attach an official letter from your brigade or unit to your application.
An official letter from an appropriate representative written on an official letterhead, that includes:
You'll need to show that you are unable to meet assessment requirements or attend exams because of the birth of a child or adoption of a child.
You'll need to attach a signed certificate to your application.
A signed certificate should be on an official letterhead from a medical practitioner/midwife/relevant adoption agency stating:
If you have ongoing carer responsibilities we recommend you register with Inclusion and Disability Services.
You'll need to show that you are unable to meet assessment requirements or attend exams due to responsibilities as a carer.
You may qualify as a carer if you provide personal care, support and assistance to another person who needs it because they:
You'll need to attach one of these documents to your application:
The document(s) you attach will need to the explain nature of your carer responsibilities and the impact on your ability to undertake the assessment or exam.
This certificate needs to be completed in full, signed and stamped by a registered medical or health practitioner who is not related to you. You can download and print the form (pdf, 320KB). The certificate needs to:
An official letter from an appropriate representative written on an official letterhead, that includes:
In the student declaration you should describe:
Make sure you read the template carefully before you sign it. There are serious consequences if you make a dishonest declaration.
You'll need to show that you are unable to meet assessment requirements or attend exams because of a compulsory legal absence (such as jury duty or court summons).
You'll need to attach:
This can be a:
In the student declaration you should describe:
Make sure you read the template carefully before you sign it. There are serious consequences if you make a dishonest declaration.
You'll need to show that you are unable to meet assessment requirements or attend exams because:
You'll need to attach an official letter from your employer to your application.
An official letter from an appropriate representative written on an official letterhead, that includes:
You'll need to show that you are unable to meet assessment requirements or attend exams because of essential religious commitments or essential beliefs (including cultural and ceremonial commitments).
You'll need to attach an official letter from your imam, pastor, rabbi or equivalent spiritual or community leader that includes the dates you'll be absent from study.
An official letter from an appropriate representative written on an official letterhead, that includes:
You'll need to show that you are unable to meet assessment requirements or attend exams because:
Misadventure is an unforeseen accident, mishap or personal misfortune.
You'll need to attach one of the following to your application:
This certificate needs to be completed in full, signed and stamped by a registered medical or health practitioner who is not related to you. You can download and print the form (pdf, 320KB). The certificate needs to:
In the student declaration you should describe:
Make sure you read the template carefully before you sign it. There are serious consequences if you make a dishonest declaration.
You'll need to show that you are unable to meet assessment requirements or attend exams because you have cultural, political or union commitments.
You'll need to attach an official letter from the organising body to your application.
An official letter from an appropriate representative written on an official letterhead, that includes:
You'll need to show that you are unable to meet assessment requirements or attend exams because you have sporting commitments representing the University of Sydney, your country, or your country's state/province.
You'll need to attach an official letter from the organising body to your application.
An official letter from an appropriate representative written on an official letterhead, that includes:
If you're not eligible under any other criteria, you may be eligible for special arrangements if you are unable to meet assessment requirements or attend exams for a reason that is beyond your reasonable control.
We have the discretion to approve applications on a case-by-case basis depending on your reasons.
Before you apply, read the list of circumstances that are not eligible for special arrangements.
You'll need to attach sufficient and relevant supporting documents to your application. These will vary depending on your circumstances and you may need to include more than one document. Your documents should explain your reasons for applying and demonstrate why you were unable to meet assessment requirements or attend exams. Some examples of documents include:
An official letter from an appropriate representative written on an official letterhead, that includes:
In the student declaration you should describe:
Make sure you read the template carefully before you sign it. There are serious consequences if you make a dishonest declaration.
You're not eligible if the circumstances are reasonably foreseeable, avoidable, or within your control. For example:
There's a range of other options available to get the help, support or flexiblity you need. One of these options may be more suitable for you, or you may consider them alongside a special consideration or arrangements application.
If you have ongoing responsibilites as a carer, read our Student carers page.
Generally, most special consideration applications…
A simple extension is an informal arrangement between…
Yes, you can withdraw an application but it's important…
Yes. If you are not happy with the special consideration…
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